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February 13, 2018

Perhaps inspired by the success and momentum of #OscarsSoWhite and other social movements demanding diversity initiatives in the entertainment industry, filmmaker, and Array Entertainment founder Ava Duvernay, Los Angelas Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Dan Lin have launched the Evolve Entertainment Fund. The fund, announced yesterday at Lin’s production company Rideback Ranch, is a public-private partnership aimed at fostering the inclusion of historically underserved communities in the entertainment industry. “Every room we inhabit needs to look like the real world,” said DuVernay.

An alliance between these industry leaders, a collection of non-profits, educational outfits, and the city of Los Angelas, The Evolve Fund has already secured 150 paid interns for their Hire LA’s Youth program, a program with partnerships with DreamWorks Animation, Ryan Murphy Television, Film Independent, WME, and CAA to name a few.

“As we radically reimagine Hollywood, it is critically important that young people are included in our vision,” said DuVernay. “Real change happens when we take tangible action — and that means giving young women and people of color opportunities in the industry early on, so they have the chance to shape its future.”